Will of James M. Hamilton - Mason County, Illinois - February 1869

Glen · May 15, 2012

James M. Hamilton was born in Morgan County, Illinois on April 10, 1834 along with his twin brother, William McCord Hamilton. James was a bachelor farmer from Mason County Illinois when he enlisted in the 85th Illinois Infantry in 1862. He served as an officer in C Company as a 2nd and then 1st Lieutenant. James was captured by the Confederates on July 20, 1964 at the bloody battle of Peach Tree Creek, GA near Atlanta. James returned to Illinois after the war. He died on his farm near Mason City on the 20th of February 1869. He apparently had a lingering illness. His last will and testament is currently the most important document we have in the family for understanding the children of John & Altha (Judd) Hamilton. We believe that the will names all his siblings. Along with the living he mentions the heirs of the deceased or perhaps ones he had lost track of. I was first aware of the existence of James will from a copy that Joyce (Stover) Hamilton shared with me. This copy was of the notarized original. This link below is to the version as recorded in the Mason County, courthouse. Its quite a bit more readable.

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